Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Implemented By Eastern New York
New York Youth Soccer News: Eastern New York is very pro-active on all the safety issues surrounding youth soccer
As part of our affiliation under the US Youth Soccer umbrella, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is proud to announce that we are offering sexual abuse awareness training to coaches, volunteers, referees and parents.
“US Youth Soccer is always looking for valuable resources to provide soccer families through our member state associations,” Chris Moore, CEO of US Youth Soccer.
“We are excited about this opportunity and the positive impact the Abuse Prevention Systems program can have in educating our members and increasing awareness about the risks of sexual abuse,” said Moore.
Jim Eleftherion, Chairperson of Eastern New York’s Risk Management Committee and a member of US Youth Soccer’s Risk Management Committee, commented, “My US Youth Soccer Risk Management Committee has been working on this concept for the past three years. Thanks to a total effort by USYS, the committee and Pullen Insurance Agency, this effort has become a realization. “
US Youth Soccer plus its state associations, like Eastern New York, are partnering with Abuse Prevention Systems and Pullen Insurance Services to address the risk of child sexual abuse in youth soccer.
The training will go to approximately 350,000 coaches, volunteers, referees and parents nationwide as US Youth Soccer is the United States’ largest youth sports organization.
Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris founded Abuse Prevention Systems to help organizations reduce the risk of child sexual abuse in youth sports, as well as other children’s programs. The two law partners have provided consulting and training services to organizations such as the United States Olympic Committee, USA Volleyball, USA Rowing, Major League Lacrosse and others, in the last 15 years.
“The value of youth sport activities for children cannot be overstated, but youth sports can also present an environment of significant risk. It’s rewarding to help the nation’s largest youth sports organization raise its protective barriers,” Love said in a statement.
“We are living in an environment where no one can any longer choose to ignore this risk,” Norris added. “I’m very pleased that US Youth Soccer is taking this proactive step.”
In addition to the child sexual abuse training, Eastern New York referees and adult supervisors with passes so they can coach their teams need to pass a background check every two years, as well as a test on concussions, to participate in our games.
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: With over 100,000 youth soccer players–both boys and girls–and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association(ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators.
All levels of soccer are offered–from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association.
